Alleged Victims of Sex Abuse Ask Bishops for Help

Alleged victims of sexual abuse by priests asked the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops Saturday to change their focus from concern for abusers to concern about needs of the abused.

But after a meeting with members of the bishop’s committee that is considering the sex abuse problem, the only concrete agreement was to meet again next spring.

The session took place a day after Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, archbishop of Chicago, was accused by a man of abusing him sexually 17 years ago. Bernardin has denied the allegation.

“It was a very positive, tough meeting, a continuation of the dialogue,” said Bishop John Kinney of Bismarck, N.D.

“We feel the bishops are putting their time and energy and focus on the priests, and we feel the needs of the victims are falling by the wayside,” said Barbara Blaine, president of the Survivor Network of those Abused by Priests.

She said the church’s energies are mostly devoted to making sure priests found to have been involved in sexual abuse get treatment and do not come into contact with children.

But Kinney said the bishops see a need to be evenhanded, to offer concern and pastoral direction “to victims, to priests, to all.”